Mobile communicator bracing system - Patent Review 5613223

What is claimed is:

1. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system having internal components, a satellite interface system, a fleet management system including a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office, the central controller at least one of mapping occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing said transport route, and receiving data in the satellite message received from the vehicle, the mobile communication system including a bracing system for protecting and securing the internal components, the bracing system comprising:

an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material and including

a monitor cavity;

elevated portions surrounding said monitor cavity and formed in said upper housing;

elastomer sections disposed on said elevated portions, forming a first seal between said monitor cavity and said upper housing;

a breakage resistant transparent material placed on said elastomer sections and in conformity with said monitor cavity;

a display monitor being protected by said breakage resistant material;

a shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of said breakage resistant transparent material and said display monitor, said shock absorbing material mounted to at least one of said breakage resistant transparent material and said display monitor;

a mounting bracket biasing said display monitor to said upper housing and said breakage resistant material, and mounted to said upper housing;

an integral keyboard formed of a water resistant material including elevated keys and mounting holes arranged around the periphery and between selected keys; and

a first printed circuit board including switches selectively activated in response to depression of said elevated keys and mounted to said upper housing through said mounting holes in said integral keyboard forming a second seal between said keyboard and said upper housing; and

a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material and including

a second printed circuit board including a central processing unit, and mounted to said lower housing, and receiving data from or transmitting data to an external device or destination; and

a support mounted to said lower housing and extending in a direction toward said upper housing and through said second printed circuit board, preventing said upper and lower housings from collapsing inwardly.

2. A bracing system according to claim 1, further comprising protruding semi-arc portions disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, the arc portions arranged in a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of a steering wheel in the vehicle, the arc portions configured to temporarily position the mobile communication system on the steering wheel for convenience of use.

3. A bracing system according to claim 1, further comprising cable organizer means, disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, for organizing cables to be connected to the mobile communication system and to inhibit interference among the cables.

4. A bracing system according to claim 3, wherein said cable organizer means includes a recessed portion in a rectangular shape disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system having a depth substantially corresponding to a thickness of the cables, permitting the mobile communication system to rest levelly on a flat surface.

5. A bracing system according to claim 3, wherein said cable organizer means includes a recessed portion in a step-shape disposed on the bottom surface of the mobile communication system, and having a depth substantially corresponding to a thickness of the cables, permitting the mobile communication system to rest levelly on a flat surface.

6. A bracing system according to claim 1, wherein the shock resistant material comprises a polycarbonate type material.

7. A bracing system according to claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing material comprises silicon foam and is attached to one of said breakage resistant material and said display monitor using an adhesive.

8. A bracing system according to claim 1, further comprising end bumpers comprised of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by said upper and lower housings, said end bumpers disposed on opposite ends of said upper and lower housings inhibiting shock experience by the mobile communicator system.

9. A bracing system according to claim 1, wherein said breakage resistant transparent material comprises tempered glass.

10. A bracing system according to claim 9, wherein the tempered glass comprises heat treated tempered glass.

11. A bracing system according to claim 1, wherein the support further includes a shock absorbing member disposed on an upper surface of the support for facing said upper housing.

12. A bracing system according to claim 1, wherein said upper housing further comprises another shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of said breakage resistant transparent material and said upper housing, said another shock absorbing material mounted to at least one of said breakage resistant transparent material and said upper housing.

13. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system having internal components, a satellite interface system, a central controller at least one of mapping occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing said transport route, and receiving data in the satellite message received from the vehicle, the mobile communication system including a bracing system for protecting and securing the internal components, the bracing system comprising:

an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material and including

a monitor cavity;

a first shock absorbing material anchored on said monitor cavity forming a first seal between said monitor cavity and said upper housing;

a breakage resistant transparent material placed on said elastomer material and in conformity with said monitor cavity;

a display monitor being protected by said breakage resistant material and secured to said upper housing;

a second shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of said breakage resistant transparent material and said display monitor;

an integral keyboard formed of a water resistant material including elevated keys and mounting holes arranged around the periphery and between selected keys; and

a first printed circuit board including switches selectively activated in response to depression of said elevated keys and mounted to said upper housing through said mounting holes in said integral keyboard forming a second seal between said keyboard and said upper housing; and

a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material and including a second printed circuit board including a central processing unit, and mounted to said lower housing, and receiving data from or transmitting data to an external device or destination.

14. A bracing system according to claim 13, wherein said breakage resistant transparent material comprises tempered glass.

15. A bracing system according to claim 14, further comprising end bumpers comprised of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by said upper and lower housings, said end bumpers disposed on opposite ends of said upper and lower housings inhibiting shock experience by the mobile communicator system.

16. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system having internal components, a satellite interface system, a fleet management system including a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office, the mobile communication system including a bracing system for protecting and securing the internal components, the bracing system comprising:

an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material and including

a monitor cavity;

first shock absorbing means for forming a first seal between said monitor cavity and said upper housing and for absorbing shock;

a display monitor secured to said upper housing;

breakage resistant means for protecting said display monitor;

second shock absorbing means, disposed around the peripheries of said breakage resistant transparent material and said display monitor, for absorbing shock; and

keyboard means including keys and mounted to said upper housing for inputting data responsive to activation of the keys and for forming a second seal with said upper housing; and

a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material and including a printed circuit board including a central processing unit, and mounted to said lower housing.

17. A bracing system according to claim 16, further comprising end bumpers comprised of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by said upper and lower housings, said end bumpers disposed on opposite ends of said upper and lower housings inhibiting shock experience by the mobile communicator system.

18. In a mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system having internal components, a satellite interface system, a fleet management system including a central controller receiving/transmitting the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office, the central controller at least one of mapping occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing said transport route, and receiving data in the satellite message received from the vehicle, the mobile communication system including a bracing system for protecting and securing the internal components, a method of assembling the internal components of the mobile communicator system having upper and lower housings, comprising the steps of:

(a) assembling an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material and having a monitor cavity and keyboard receiving area, including the steps of

(a1) positioning elastomer sections around the monitor cavity on the inside of the upper housing;

(a2) positioning a breakage resistant transparent material on the elastomer sections and in conformity with the monitor cavity, the elastomer sections positioned between the monitor cavity and the breakage resistant transparent material, and the elastomer sections forming a first seal between the monitor cavity and the breakage resistant transparent material;

(a3) positioning a shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of the breakage resistant transparent material;

(a4) positioning a display monitor on the shock absorbing material, the shock absorbing material positioned between the display monitor and the breakage resistant transparent material;

(a5) securing said display monitor to the upper housing, and securing the shock absorbing material, the breakage resistant material, and the elastomer sections to the monitor cavity of the upper housing;

(a6) positioning an integral water resistant keyboard in the keyboard receiving area;

(a7) positioning a printed circuit board switch array on the keyboard, the keyboard disposed between the keyboard receiving area and the printed circuit board switch array;

(a8) securing the peripheries of the printed circuit board and the keyboard to the upper housing through first mounting holes on the periphery of the keyboard, and securing the internal areas of the printed circuit and the keyboard to the upper housing through second mounting holes between selected keys of the keyboard, forming a water resistant seal therebetween;

(b) assembling a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material and including a support extending in a direction toward the upper housing, including the step of securing a second printed circuit board including a central processing unit and a receiving hole to the lower housing, the support extending through the receiving hole toward the upper housing preventing said upper and lower housings from collapsing inwardly;

(c) assembling the upper and lower housings together; and

(d) securing bumper handles on opposite ends of the assembled upper and lower housings.

19. A bracing system according to claim 18, wherein the breakage resistant transparent material comprises tempered glass.

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TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a mobile communicator system used in vehicles under adverse environmental and external conditions, and more particularly to a mobile communicator system used in vehicles under adverse environmental and external conditions for receiving and transmitting information from, for example, a central control point, other vehicles or land based stations via a satellite system.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, various techniques have been proposed to prevent damage to freight or cargo due to rough handling and/or road conditions. Rough handling is generally related to slack action within a vehicle transporting freight, usually due to poor vehicle handling or by driving the vehicle at excessive speeds. Rough handling and irregularities along the transport route has created additional expenses by forcing shippers and customers to make considerable expenditures on blocking, bracing, and otherwise attempting to cushion the freight being transported. Accordingly, it has become necessary to track instances of rough cargo handling and irregular transport routes to take appropriate measures to protect the cargo.

One prior technique has proposed to monitor the position of the vehicle itself for collecting and storing information during predetermined events. This prior technique, however, does not address the problem of damage occurring to cargo during a transport route. Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,206 to Scribner et al. In this system only the location of the vehicle is generally determined and recorded during the occurrence of events detected by sensors which respond to such an occurrence. The system is associated with navigational units to receive positional information from a navigation system. The location of the vehicle is stored in a data collector on the vehicle. The date and time of the events may also be stored along with the positional information. The position is determined by means of a navigation system such as GPS or LORAN. The stored information is later transported to an information delivery point and downloaded to a data processing system. Here the information is analyzed to determine the exact location and time of the occurrence of the events, such as the closure of a passenger door of a taxi or bus, or the pickup of waste by a truck.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of Scribner et al., a truck 10 is equipped with a lift arm sensor 18 and rear door sensor 24 which are coupled electrically to a navigational system such as a GPS type system. The truck also has a passive radio transmitter in the form of tag 30 mounted on it. One such tag is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,026 issued to the same inventors. The purpose of this transmitter is to transmit the truck identification number to a base data receiver/computer unit 32 which may be located at the depot where the truck is returned and housed. When the truck leaves the depot, an RF signal from the receiver/computer unit 32 causes the tag 30 to transmit the truck identification to the receiver/computer 32. The receiver/computer records the time, date and truck identification number. On returning to the depot the tag 30 again transmits the truck identification number to the data receiver/computer unit 32. The information contained in the data collector 28 may then be downloaded into the base receiver unit 32. This information may consist of (1) the identification number of the truck, (2) the day, time, latitude and longitude of each occurrence of the lift arm actuating its sensor, and (3) the day, time, latitude and longitude of each occurrence of actuation of the rear door sensor. However, Scribner et al. does not recognize, address or relate to the problem of damage caused to cargo during a transport route.

Prior techniques have also considered the effect of vehicle acceleration on the cargo for detecting cargo impact. U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,564 to Tennes et al. describes an impact detection apparatus for measuring and recording acceleration or other physical quantities experienced by easily damaged items of commerce such as fruit, or electronic computers. A triaxial accelerometer or other suitable sensor produces signals which are stored in a memory along with the times of the events which trigger the accelerometer. This provides an event-time history which later may be read from the memory for analysis after the handling or transportation is completed.

Control of the acceleration to which cargo carrying vehicles are subjected can be exerted is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,605 to Burns et al. Burns et al. describes a vehicle positioning system using a plurality of inputs such as a GPS receiver, wheel tachometer, O.S. circuits, transponders and manual inputs from locomotive engineers.

Systems exist for continuously establishing and indicating the location of vehicles such as cars, trucks and boats. Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,208 to Marinelli et al., which is directed primarily towards theft prevention. In this system a master tracking station receives and stores signals representative of the object identification and the location of the object, and may provide a visual indication of the object identification code and object location. Only vehicle location is detected.

The occurrence of events along a transport route is mapped out in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,477 to Austill et al. However, this system does not include the use of a transmitter, from which information is downloaded into a central controller via a communication system. Nor is location information fed into a sensing module on the vehicle. Rather, the event location is determined by sensing and recording the degree and direction of track curvature for the rails on which the vehicle is travelling.

One technique has recognized the need to map the occurrence of predetermined conditions along a transport route travelled by a mobile sensing station. The mobile sensing station is connected to a central controller via a communication system. The mobile sensing station continuously senses for the occurrence of the predetermined conditions along the transport route. When these conditions are detected, data regarding these conditions are stored, as well as time and date data corresponding to the subject occurrences. Positional data are also received and correlated with the occurrence. The mobile sensing station is then triggered to transmit the correlated data over the communication system to a central controller. The correlated data are arranged so that a map of the transport route can be displayed, showing the locations of the predetermined conditions for future or current reference and to avoid such predetermined conditions. This technique is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/022,037 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,597 entitled "System for Mapping Occurrences of Predetermined Conditions in a Transport Route" to James Christopher Buck and assigned to American Mobile Satellite Corporation, incorporated herein by reference.

However, none of the aforementioned systems have considered the problem of adverse environmental and external conditions experienced by a mobile communicator used in vehicles for receiving and transmitting information from, for example, a central control point, other vehicles or land based stations via a satellite system. Accordingly, it has been discovered that these mobile communicators are subjected to unusually adverse conditions which result from these environmental or external forces or sources. It has further been discovered that it is beneficial to be informed of these types of adverse conditions in a real-time like manner, thereby providing the ability to correct or avoid such adverse conditions before the mobile communicator can no longer operate.

It has also been discovered that, at times, these adverse external conditions result from the improper handling of the mobile communicator operator. It has been discovered that these mobile communicators need to be extra durable to resist these types of adverse external conditions. Accordingly, specialized handling and safety features have been determined to be necessary.

It has also been discovered that these mobile communicators are experiencing failures due to poor and improper assembly of parts embedded within the mobile communicator.

It has further been discovered that these mobile communicators are experiencing adverse conditions resulting, in part, in the inability to properly removably secure the mobile communicator when in use.

It has further been discovered that these mobile communicators are experiencing adverse conditions resulting, in part, from the complicated or elaborate wiring which is necessary for the operation of the mobile communicator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to prevent adverse conditions experienced by a mobile communicator from causing the mobile communicator to malfunction or fail.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide information of these types of adverse conditions which are experienced by the mobile communicator in a real-time like manner.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide the ability to correct or avoid such adverse conditions before the mobile communicator can no longer operate or function properly.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a mobile communicator that is extra durable to resist these types of adverse external conditions.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide specialized handling and safety features for the mobile communicator.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to prevent failures occurring to the mobile communicator due to poor and improper assembly of parts embedded within the mobile communicator.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a modularized assembly of parts embedded within the mobile communicator for efficient and cost effective assembly.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a modularized assembly of parts embedded within the mobile communicator which minimizes damage to the parts as a result thereof.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to simplify the wiring configuration of the mobile communicator to inhibit adverse conditions resulting from complicated or elaborate wiring.

It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to permit the mobile communicator to be properly removably secured when in use.

The present invention is based, in part, on the identification of the problem of the unusual external conditions experienced by the mobile communicator. Accordingly, many mobile communicators have been designed in a manner which is inadequate to withstand these external conditions. The mobile communicators have been subjected to malfunctions and complete failures as a result of not recognizing the above problems.

The present invention is also based, in part, on the identification of the problem of the unusual external conditions experienced by the mobile communicator which damage the components mounted therein. Accordingly, the present invention addresses this problem by providing a component bracing system which braces and protects the components embedded within the mobile communicator system.

To achieve these and other features and advantages of the present invention, a mobile communication system is provided in a mobile satellite system. The mobile satellite system includes a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for receiving/transmitting a satellite message via a satellite from/to a vehicle using a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, and a fleet management system including a central controller. The central controller receives/transmits the satellite message from/to the satellite communication switching office. The central controller maps occurrences of predetermined conditions along a transport route responsive to the satellite message received from the vehicle via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The predetermined conditions are detected using a mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing the transport route. Alternatively, the controller receives data in the satellite message received from the vehicle. The mobile communication system includes a housing having a shock resistant material. The housing includes end bumpers of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by the housing. The end bumpers each include recessed handles on an upper surface of the mobile communicator system and ribbed protruded finger grips on a bottom surface of the mobile communication system. The mobile communication system also includes an input device for inputting data. The input device comprises a keyboard including a rubber/carbon membrane and mounted in the housing using a first seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between the input device and the housing. The mobile communication system also includes a central processing unit disposed in the housing that receives either data from the input device or sensor data received from the mobile sensing station. The sensor data includes predetermined condition data occurring along the transport route, positional data, and time and date data corresponding to each occurrence of the predetermined condition data. The central processing unit also outputs satellite data to the satellite interface system for transmission to the satellite. the mobile communication system further includes a display monitor comprised of tempered glass having the ability to withstand a predetermined impact. The display monitor is mounted in the housing using a second seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between the display monitor and the housing.

In addition, the present invention includes a mobile communication system provided in a mobile satellite system. The mobile communication system includes a housing having a shock resistant material. The housing includes end bumpers of an elastomeric material for absorbing shock experienced by the housing. The end bumpers each include recessed handles on an upper surface of the mobile communicator system and ribbed protruded finger grips on a bottom surface of the mobile communication system. The mobile communication system also includes an input device for inputting data. The input device comprises a keyboard including a rubber/carbon membrane and mounted in the housing using a first seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between the input device and the housing. The mobile communication system also includes a central processing unit disposed in the housing that receives data from the input device. The central processing unit also outputs satellite data to the satellite interface system for transmission to the satellite. The mobile communication system further includes a display monitor comprised of tempered glass having the ability to withstand a predetermined impact. The display monitor is mounted in the housing using a second seal to prevent fluid from entering the mobile communication system between the display monitor and the housing.

In another embodiment, the mobile communication system including a bracing system for protecting and securing the internal components. The bracing system includes an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material. The upper housing includes a monitor cavity, elevated portions surrounding the monitor cavity and formed in the upper housing, and elastomer sections disposed on the elevated portions. In addition, the upper housing includes a breakage resistant transparent material placed on the elastomer sections and in conformity with the monitor cavity, a display monitor being protected by the breakage resistant material, and a shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of the breakage resistant transparent material and the display monitor. The shock absorbing material is mounted to at least one of the breakage resistant transparent material and the display monitor. The upper housing also includes a mounting bracket biasing the display monitor to the upper housing and the breakage resistant material, and mounted to the upper housing, an integral keyboard formed of a water resistant material including elevated keys and mounting holes arranged around the periphery and between selected keys, and a first printed circuit board including switches selectively activated in response to depression of the elevated keys and mounted to the upper housing through the mounting holes in the integral keyboard. The bracing system also includes a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material. The lower housing includes a second printed circuit board including a central processing unit, and mounted to the lower housing, and a support mounted to the lower housing and extending in a direction toward the upper housing and through the second printed circuit board.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of assembling the internal components of the mobile communicator system having upper and lower housings. The method includes the step of assembling an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material and having a monitor cavity and keyboard receiving area. The upper housing assembling step includes the steps of positioning elastomer sections around the monitor cavity on the inside of the upper housing, and positioning a breakage resistant transparent material on the elastomer sections and in conformity with the monitor cavity. The elastomer sections being positioned between the monitor cavity and the breakage resistant transparent material. The method further includes the steps of positioning a shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of the breakage resistant transparent material, and positioning a display monitor on the shock absorbing material. The shock absorbing material is positioned between the display monitor and the breakage resistant transparent material. The method also includes securing the display monitor to the upper housing, positioning an integral water resistant keyboard in the keyboard receiving area, and positioning a printed circuit board switch array on the keyboard. The method also includes securing the peripheries of the printed circuit board and the keyboard to the upper housing through first mounting holes on the periphery of the keyboard, and securing the internal areas of the printed circuit and the keyboard to the upper housing through second mounting holes between selected keys of the keyboard. The method also includes the step of assembling a lower housing comprised of another shock resistant material and including a support extending in a direction toward the upper housing, including securing a second printed circuit board having a central processing unit and a receiving hole to the lower housing. The method also includes the steps of assembling the upper and lower housings together, and securing bumper handles on opposite ends of the assembled upper and lower housings.

These together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully herein described and claimed, with reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the overall mobile communicator system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical elements contained in the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the mobile communicator system;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mobile communicator system;

FIGS. 9-10 are respective bottom plan and rear elevational views of another embodiment of the mobil